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Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA): Advanced Search

A guide for using Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA.)

Doing an Advanced Search

The Advanced Search option lets you create a search form based on the criteria you select, and allows you to identify businesses that meet that criteria. You can limit your results by all of the standard search filters: company name, executive name or title, business or industry type (keyword, SIC code, or NAICS code), by business size, number of employees, type of ownership (public or private), or by a business’s sales or financial data. You can also limit your results such as a business’s web address, what social site links, the size of their Yellow Page ads, or the square footage of their facilities.

Advanced Search


As you choose search criteria, forms corresponding with each selection appear on the screen.

Keyword SIC NAICS code search

The Business Type search gives you two options: Keyword/SIC/NAICS, or Major Industry Group. SIC and NAICS are industrial classification systems. This means that businesses, based on business type, have an actual numerical code attached to them that connects them to a specific industry. That allows the U.S. Census Bureau and others to gather statistics based on these codes, for various industries. If you don’t know those codes, you can type in a keyword, and it will search that for you. The default is to search All SIC Codes. When you enter a term and click the Search button, you get a list of Exact Matches and Related Matches. Choose the option or options that best fit what you’re looking for. As you click on an option, it is moved to the Selected box.

Business Type Search

You can also limit your results by geographic location. You can search by City/State, Metro Area, and ZIP Code.

Searching by Sales Volume

You can search sales volume by Reference Solutions' predefined ranges, or look under "Show More Options" for more options.

Sales Volume Search